Reservation Blues by Rihana

Reservation Blues by Rihana - April 2014 Scholarship Essay

Hello, my name is Rihana Atene. I'm from Monument Valley, Utah, located on the Navajo Nation, and I'm Navajo. I'm a senior at Monument Valley High and graduating this coming May.

The book I read is called, "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian." The character’s name is Junior. He is part of the Spokane Indian Reservation and he did the ultimate by leaving the reservation to attend a different school to become successful. Before, the school on the reservation was low and of course filled with his tribe, but his other school is off the reservation and filled with Caucasian students. It was way different and everyone looked at him as if he didn't belong. All he wanted is to get a better education and get more opportunities because his previous school didn't have much. He left behind many friends but he knew it was best. Although he lived more than 20 miles away from his new school, he still made the effort to attend daily. He met new friends and learned more and more. His skills advanced and he finally knew what he was talking about most of the time. He became greater that his friends on the reservation were jealous. He tried to convince his best friend, Rowdy that it was okay to leave, but Rowdy refused. Many on the reservation shun him for his decision, but refused to let it get to him and moved forward. With an alcoholic family, he still gave it his all. To make his family look more decent, he is determined to be the first to graduate from high school and go onto college.

If a high school freshman can do this, so could I as a college freshman. I could relate to the alcoholism, for my father was one and left us, but we’re doing better than ever with my step-dad who raised me. I grew up in Monument Valley but I am currently residing in Mexican Hat, Utah since I was a freshman, which is 22 miles away from Monument Valley. I made it to school daily and got my work in and strive for more. I did so much for myself that I got done early with high school because of this book. It influences me that I could leave and push myself to become someone greater than I was before. It's a matter of choice I’m willing to take for my family and community. I want to pursue my dreams of becoming a nurse and work for Monument Valley Clinic. I will make it happen because no matter what anyone says, it will not stop me. I took the first step and got accepted to USU and I’m determined to make my dreams become reality. And I will tell my story one day to many Native Americans, who don't know their potential.